The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have issued a joint warning that seven million adults are "in the dark" about their state pension. The warning, supported by the Labour Party government, specifically targets people aged 45 to 54 — those born before 1979 and after 1970.
Age group most likely to have never checked their forecast
HMRC has warned that this cohort is more likely than any other age group to have never checked their State Pension forecast, despite this being a critical time for retirement planning. According to the DWP and HMRC, one in eight adults have never checked their State Pension forecast.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said: "It's never too early, or too late, to check your State Pension forecast. Checking your forecast on the HMRC app takes just a few minutes but can make a real difference to how prepared you feel for the future."
How to check and boost your state pension
People can check their State Pension forecast on the HMRC app, which allows them to view any potential gaps in their National Insurance record and top up their contributions if they are eligible to do so. The app also provides access to tax code, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) details, employment history, and Self Assessment records, giving a fuller picture of an individual's financial position ahead of retirement.
Lloyd added: "Whether retirement is decades away or just around the corner, I'd encourage everyone to check their forecast and see if there's anything they can do now to boost their entitlement later."
Additional features of the HMRC app
The HMRC app can also be used to make payments, set reminders for payments, and notify HMRC if a Self Assessment tax return is no longer needed. Users can estimate their take-home pay using the tax calculator and claim a refund if they have paid too much tax. The app also provides information about tax, National Insurance, and benefits, according to the HMRC website.
The warning comes as part of a broader push to encourage mid-career adults to engage with their retirement planning, with the HMRC app serving as a central tool for checking and improving state pension entitlements.
